UoG unveils 2026 Performing Arts show season across iconic venues in Gloucestershire

University of Gloucestershire Performing Arts students are taking their performances into the community working with iconic local venues across the summer.

The 2026 programme will showcase the work of students across BA (Hons) Musical Theatre and BA (Hons) Acting, with performances taking place at venues including, Cheltenham Playhouse, The Roses Theatre, the Everyman Theatre and the Performing Arts Centre.

Performances will showcase a variety of student skills, spanning original work, adaptations and ensemble performance. They will offer audiences the opportunity to experience emerging talent in a variety of professional, studio and theatre settings.

Upcoming performances include:

• The Water Babies: A family musical written by David Last, Karen Benjamin and Sue Colverd: 15-16 May, Cheltenham Playhouse
• UoG Dance Showcase: 23 May, The Roses Theatre
• The Sweet Science of Bruising: Written by Joy Wilkinson about Victorian female boxers, this will be performed by first-year Drama and Performing Arts students: 29-30 May, Irving Studio, Everyman Theatre
• The Willow Tree Chronicles: A performance by final-year drama students: 5-6 June, Cheltenham Playhouse
• The Last Hope: Presented by final-year drama students: 11-13 June, Performing Arts Centre, Oxstalls Campus, University of Gloucestershire

Students will also be performing at international festivals in Yorkshire and Romania for the first time this year.

Craig Norman, Academic Course Leader for BA (Hons) Drama and Acting, said: “The annual show season is an invaluable opportunity for our students to showcase their talents in professional performance environments.

“We are excited to share the performances we have been working on with the community in some of our iconic local venues that provide fantastic support to student talent.

“Applying the performance skills students have learned throughout the academic year is a key focus of the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre and BA (Hons) Acting courses, and the practical development of these skills provide the students with a strong foundation to build from in their future careers.

“For the first time we also have students performing at international events, including the York International Shakespeare Festival and the Babel Fast International Performing Arts Festival (6-14 June) in Romania.”

Ahead of the season, the team has launched two new Instagram accounts to give an inside look at life on our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre and BA (Hons) Acting courses. The pages will share rehearsals, performances, workshops and behind-the-scenes moments from student life.

Audiences are encouraged to follow the accounts to keep up to date with performances and content from this year’s show season.